Cleaning element

ABSTRACT

A cleaning element including a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body, wherein the central region is assigned a receiver into which a holder is inserted, and wherein the holder is assigned a flat cleaning body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/068298, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2020 120 153.2, filed on Jul. 30, 2020. The International Application was published in German on Feb. 3, 2022 as WO 2022/022945 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The invention relates to a cleaning element comprising a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body.

BACKGROUND

A cleaning element is disclosed in DE 10 2017 004 809 B3. In the previously known cleaning element, textile fringes of elongated configuration are fixed at one end to the support body. The fringes have a plurality of strands which are connected together and which are configured from synthetic fibers. As a result, the fringes are voluminous and have a high water absorption capacity. The previously known cleaning element serves for wet or damp cleaning of floors.

The previously known cleaning element is suitable, in particular, for being wrung out in a rotary spinner after the cleaning operation. To this end, the cleaning appliance, to which the cleaning element is fastened, is pushed into a basket-like receiver, wherein the receiver can be set in rotation along the longitudinal axis and excess water is spun out of the fringes. In particular, it is not necessary to remove the fringes from the cleaning appliance for the cleaning and spinning operation.

Although the previously known cleaning element has a high cleaning performance, the removal of dirt stubbornly adhering to the floor to be cleaned is problematic.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cleaning element comprising a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body, wherein the central region is assigned a receiver into which a holder is inserted, and wherein the holder is assigned a flat cleaning body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter of the present disclosure will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations. The features and advantages of various embodiments will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning element in a view from below;

FIG. 2 illustrates the cleaning element according to FIG. 1 in a view from above;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fringe holder with fringes fastened thereto;

FIG. 4 illustrates a holder with the cleaning body in a view from above;

FIG. 5 illustrates the holder according to FIG. 4 in a view from above; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a unit comprising the fringe holder and the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The cleaning element according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body, wherein the central region is assigned a receiver into which a holder is inserted, wherein the holder is assigned a flat cleaning body.

The fringes are fixed to the support body around the central region. The arrangement of the fringes can be implemented in an annular manner. When used as intended, the fringes protrude to the side below the support body so that, in addition to the fringes, the flat cleaning body also comes into contact with the floor to be cleaned. As the cleaning body is arranged centrally below the support body, a high contact pressure can be applied thereto. As a result, and due to the flat design of the cleaning body, a particularly effective cleaning action is achieved relative to stubbornly adhering dirt.

The fringes can be fastened to a fringe holder of annular configuration, wherein the fringe holder defines the receiver and the holder is positively or form-fittingly fastened to the fringe holder, and wherein the fringe holder is fixed to the support body. The fringe holder also has a number of receiver elements which serve for receiving fringes. The fringes in turn are preferably fixedly fastened to the fringe holder. This is preferably implemented by a material connection or a positive or form-fitting connection. The fastening can be implemented, for example, by means of an adhesively bonded connection, by knotting or a stitched connection.

The holder is preferably positively held in the receiver in a form-fitting manner. This permits a particularly simple and cost-effective assembly. In some embodiments, the holder is retrospectively fastened in a receiver of an already existing support body. The holder and the receiver preferably form a snap closure.

Both the fringe holder and the holder are preferably fastened to the support body or to the fringe holder by means of a snap closure. To this end, the fringe holder and/or the holder can be provided with positive or form-fitting connecting elements, for example in the form of projections, hooks, recesses or the like.

The fringe holder and the holder can form together with the cleaning body and the fringes a preassembled unit which is fastened below the support body. In this connection, the unit, consisting of the fringe holder comprising the fringes and the holder comprising the cleaning body, is brought into the handle as a preassembled unit so that the fringes and the cleaning body can be replaced after the end of their useful life, which can occur as a result of wear.

In some embodiments, the fringe holder comprising the fringes and the holder comprising the cleaning body can be replaced separately from one another. In some embodiments, different holders are provided with different cleaning bodies, so that a cleaning body which is adapted to the cleaning task can be selected and fastened to the fringe holder. Different fringe holders comprising different fringes can also be provided, wherein fringes which are adapted to the cleaning task can also be selected and fastened to the cleaning element.

The cleaning body can be fixed to the holder. The cleaning body is preferably fixedly connected to the holder. This can be implemented by a material connection, for example by an adhesively bonded connection or by ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, in some embodiments the cleaning body is fastened to the holder by means of a stitched connection.

The cleaning body is preferably configured as a textile fabric. The cleaning body can comprise microfibers. Moreover, the cleaning body can be provided with abrasively-acting harder fibers. In an advantageous embodiment, harder fibers and microfibers are arranged in the form of zones on the cleaning body.

The fringes can consist of a single component or of a plurality of materials. The fringes can comprise, in particular, microfibers. Moreover, the cleaning body can comprise different fringes having different properties. For example, harder fringes, softer fringes, fringes comprising microfibers, absorbent fringes and abrasive fringes can be provided. In an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning body comprises fringes of different thicknesses. Thicker fringes can be arranged in first zones and thinner fringes can be arranged in second zones. In some embodiments, fringes having different cleaning properties are arranged in zones. For example, harder fringes, softer fringes, fringes comprising microfibers, absorbent fringes and abrasive fringes can be arranged in zones.

The support body, the fringe holder and the holder are preferably configured from injection-moldable material. The fringe holder and the holder can be configured, in particular, from polypropylene.

The fringe holder, with the receiver fixed thereto, can be removed from the support body and put in a machine wash. As a result, the fringes and cleaning body can be cleaned particularly thoroughly and also separately from one another. In addition to the improved cleaning, this also results in the advantage of a longer useful life.

The holder can have a peripheral edge. Preferably, positive or form-fitting connecting elements, which engage in congruent recesses of the holder, are incorporated on the peripheral edge on the outer face. As a result, it is also possible, amongst other things, to dispose of the fringe holder and the holder separately from one another.

The holder can have a cover element of flat configuration, wherein the cleaning body is fixed to the cover element. Via the cover element the cleaning body is pushed flat onto the floor to be cleaned, so that a particularly effective cleaning result can be achieved. Moreover, a particularly dimensionally stable holder is produced by the cover element.

The cover element can have a peripheral border, wherein the border protrudes radially outwardly over the edge. The border is preferably configured such that it protrudes at least partially over the fringe holder. As a result, after the assembly of the holder in the fringe holder, the border covers partially the fringe holder and partially the fringes fastened thereto. As a result, the fringes which are fixed to the fringe holder are deflected to the side, so that these fringes protrude to the side. As a result, it is advantageous that the cleaning element is particularly voluminous as a whole and that the cleaning body comes into contact over its entire surface with the floor to be cleaned. As the fringes protrude outwardly to the side, they do not come between the cleaning body and the floor to be cleaned.

Preferably, at least one through-opening is incorporated in the cover element. If the cleaning element is cleaned in a floor-washing bucket, the support body is surrounded by cleaning fluid. Cleaning fluid can pass into the interior of the support body and thus also into the holder. The through-opening ensures that the liquid located in the holder can drain through the cleaning body.

A through-opening can be incorporated centrally in the cover element. This permits, on the one hand, the drainage of liquid located in the holder and, on the other hand, a particularly space-saving design, since the components of the support body can extend into the through-opening of the cover element.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one slot is incorporated in some portions in the corner region between the edge and the cover element. The cleaning element according to the invention, when viewed in a view from above, is preferably configured to be rotationally symmetrical and, in particular, is suitable for being spun in a rotary spinner. To this end, the cleaning element is inserted in a basket-like receiver which can be set in rotation. Cleaning liquid is spun out of the fringes as a result of the rotation. Moreover, the rotation causes the liquid located in the holder to be moved toward the edge and at that point to drain through the at least one slot.

On the side opposing the receiver the support body can have a recess with a connection for fastening a handle. The connection can be configured here as an articulated connection. The recess results in an improved force distribution during the cleaning operation.

At least one second through-opening, which produces a flow-conducting connection between the recess and the receiver, can be incorporated in the recess. As a result, cleaning fluid which can collect in the recess can flow through the through-opening in the direction of the holder fastened in the receiver. In turn, the liquid can escape through the holder, through the through-openings incorporated therein.

Several embodiments of the cleaning element according to the invention are explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the figures.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cleaning element 1 comprising a support body 2 to which fringes 3 of elongated configuration are fixed. The fringes are configured from textile material and consist of a plurality of strands which are connected together in the manner of a cord.

The fringes 3 are arranged such that they enclose a central region 4 of the support body 5. In turn, the central region 4 is assigned a receiver 6 in which a holder 7 is inserted. A flat cleaning body 8 is arranged on the holder 7. The cleaning body 8 covers the holder 7 over its entire surface.

A recess 16 with a connection 17 for fastening a handle is arranged on the side of the support body 2 opposing the receiver 6. The connection 17 is configured here as an articulated connection. A second through-opening 19, which produces a flow-conducting connection between the recess 16 and the receiver 6, is incorporated in the recess 16.

When observed in a view from above, the support body 2 is configured to be triangular and the fringes 3 protrude from the support body 2 in a substantially circular manner in the radial direction. As a result, the cleaning element is suitable, in particular, for being wrung out in a rotary spinner.

FIG. 1 shows the above-described cleaning element 1 in a view from above and FIG. 2 shows the above-described cleaning element 1 in a view from below.

FIG. 3 shows in detail an annular fringe holder 20 to which the fringes 3 are fastened. The fringe holder 20 defines the receiver 6 with its wall facing the internal opening. The fringe holder 20 has receiving elements for the fringes, wherein the fringes 3 are fixedly connected to the fringe holder 20. To this end, the fringes 3 are guided in the form of a loop through the receiver elements and knotted in some portions.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the holder 7 in detail. FIG. 4 shows the holder 7 in a view from above and FIG. 5 in a view from the side. The holder 7 has a peripheral edge 9 and a cover element 10 of flat configuration. The cover element 10 has a peripheral border 11, wherein the border 11 protrudes radially outwardly over the edge 9. The cleaning body 8 is fixed to the cover element 10, wherein the cleaning body 8 covers the cover element 10 over its entire surface. The cleaning body 8 is fixedly connected to the cover element 10 by means of a stitched connection 18. The cleaning body 8 covers the cover element 10 over its entire surface on the side facing the floor to be cleaned. The cleaning body 8 consists of a textile material of flat configuration and can be provided with abrasively-acting portions.

The cleaning body 8 is fixedly connected to the holder 7. In the present embodiment, this is implemented by means of a stitched connection 18.

A plurality of through-openings 13 are incorporated in the cover element 10. Moreover, three slots 15 are incorporated in some portions in the corner region 14 between the edge 9 and cover element 10.

FIG. 6 shows a unit 21 consisting of a fringe holder 20 comprising fringes 3 fastened thereto and a holder 7 comprising the cleaning body 8 fastened thereto.

Both the fringe holder 20 and the holder 7 are configured from an injection-moldable material, which consists here of polypropylene.

The holder 7 is positively or form-fittingly fastened to the fringe holder 20, wherein the holder 7 comes into contact with the inner wall of the fringe holder 20. To this end, the holder 7 and the fringe holder 20 or the receiver 6 form at least one snap closure.

The fringe holder 20 in turn is positively or form-fittingly and replaceably fixed to the support body 2 by means of a snap closure. As a result, it is possible to replace the unit 21 consisting of the fringe holder 20 comprising the fringes 3 fastened thereto and the holder 7 comprising the cleaning body 8 fastened thereto. The unit 21 forms a preassembled unit.

While subject matter of the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Any statement made herein characterizing the invention is also to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive as the invention is defined by the claims. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made, by those of ordinary skill in the art, within the scope of the following claims, which may include any combination of features from different embodiments described above.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C. 

1. A cleaning element comprising: a support body to which fringes of elongated configuration are fixed, wherein the fringes enclose a central region of the support body, wherein the central region is assigned a receiver into which a holder inserted, and wherein the holder is assigned a flat cleaning body.
 2. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder is form-fittingly held in the receiver.
 3. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fringes are fastened to a fringe holder of annular configuration, wherein the fringe holder defines the receiver and the holder is form-fittingly fastened to the fringe holder, and wherein the fringe holder is fixed to the support body.
 4. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body is fixed to the holder.
 5. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder has a peripheral edge.
 6. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder has a cover element of flat configuration, wherein the cleaning body is fixed to the cover element.
 7. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover element has a peripheral border, and wherein the border protrudes radially outwardly over the peripheral edge.
 8. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder and the receiver form a snap closure.
 9. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover element comprises at least one through-opening.
 10. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one slot is arranged in portions of a corner region between the peripheral edge and the cover element.
 11. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 1, wherein on a side opposing the receiver the support body has a recess with a connection for fastening a handle.
 12. The cleaning element as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one second through-opening, which produces a flow-conducting connection between the recess and the receiver, is incorporated in the recess. 